Method

Heat the oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Butter a 900g non-stick loaf tin. Cut a strip of baking paper the same width as the tin and line it, leaving the edges overhanging.

Step 2

Roll out the shortcrust pastry to the thickness of a pound coin.

Step 3

Use the pastry to line the tin. Carefully push it into the corners and mould it to fit the shape of the tin. Leaving a bit of pastry overhanging. Cook the eggs in boiling water for 7 minutes. Put in iced water to cool completely then peel off the shells.

Step 4

Put the bacon, sausages, mince, fennel and herbs in a bowl with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix well using clean hands. Put half the mince mix in the bottom of the tin.

Step 5

Using your fingers, make a dip in the middle of the mince mixture that’s big enough to fit the eggs.

Step 6

Cut the ends off all the eggs so you can line them up neatly end to end.

Step 7

Cover the eggs with the rest of the mince mix, making sure it fits snugly around the eggs. Level the top.

Step 8

Brush the edges of the shortcrust pastry with some of the beaten egg.

Step 9

Roll out the puff pastry to 20p coin thickness and drape it over the top of the tin, pushing down gently so it sticks to the shortcrust.

Step 10

Carefully trim the edges with a pair of kitchen scissors.

Step 11

Crimp the edges with your fingers.

Step 12

Lightly score the top and glaze with the rest of the egg. Make a hole, put on a baking tray and bake for 1 hour. Cool in the tin then chill overnight. Turn out and cut into thick slices.